Vandalism rife at RVO hinders information on earthquake occurrences

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A file picture of outgoing acting Director of the Geohazards Management Division and geologist Chris McKee and Mr Itikarai at RVO. Photo: supplied

ONLY 12 of the 16 seismic stations for the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) in East New Britain are functioning and giving information to the main monitoring station at Haus Guria.

The four not functioning are said to be very key stations because they are among the 12 located inside the Rabaul caldera, and are very reliable in detecting and providing vital information that the RVO needs, in order to make accurate reports.

Acting Assistant Director for the RVO Ima Itikarai said the 12 stations within the caldera can easily detect the smallest earthquake from the volcanoes, unlike the four situated outside.

He said most had been vandalized more than twice and had been restored, only to be targeted again by unknown thugs, who steal equipment such as batteries, solar panels and regulators and even instrumentation installed at those stations.

These key stations are at Sulphur point, where people go and dig for wild fowl eggs, at Rabalanakaia near Kombiu, at John Brown on Namanula Hill, with the fourth one located near Vulcan.

Mr Itikarai said because these stations are not operating, the RVO is missing critical information on earthquake occurrences within the Rabaul caldera, so to help RVO accurately monitor Mt Tavurvur and other volcanoes.

Damages through vandalism to the station infrastructures tend to cost the RVO up to K10, 000, but equipment, which is too costly and often funded by donor agencies, can cost up to K70,000 – K80, 000.

Meanwhile he said it is a risky business to set up any developments in Rabaul town, as there is a possibility of future eruptions occurring between a 40 to 60 years interval.

This prediction, among other factors, is based on the interval at which the last eruptions occurred, in 1878, 1937 and the recent one recorded in 1994.

He said there is an understanding that the population of Rabaul must have access to vital services, and thus RVO will continue working with the ENB Provincial Administration to ensure developments in the three sectors of Rabaul town is guided.

Mr Itikarai said the current developments are centered within sector one of Rabaul town, but there is still a risk.